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The pride of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District was honored when the annual Staff Recognition Reception was celebrated on Tuesday, May 2.
The highly popular ceremony, which drew over 150 administrators, board of education members, staff and teachers as well as families from the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District, was held at the Somerville Elks Lodge.
The event honored the 2022-2023 Governor’s Teachers of the Year and the Governor’s Educational Services Professionals for all 11 schools in the school district.
A total of 22 staffers—two from each school in the district–were honored for their achievements and passion as members of the school district.
The ceremony was funded by the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association (BREA) and was held for the first time at the Elks Lodge after the previous ceremonies were performed at Bridgewater-Raritan High School's cafeteria.
Superintendent Bob Beers opened the festivities with his usual upbeat remarks.
“It is our great pleasure to honor the dedication to your craft that you do every day,” Superintendent Beers announced. “Thank you for the dedication and impact that you have on our children.”
He continued.
“Teaching is a lifestyle and you do need the support of your family. We thank your families for that support.”
Laura Kress, the President of the Bridgewater-Raritan Education Association, followed Superintendent Beers to greet the award winners and the audience.
“This ceremony is our (BREA) most pleasurable event,” Ms. Kress revealed. “Thank you to Suzanne (Klos) for putting this on.”
Ms. Klos’ title is Executive Secretary to the Superintendent but she is arguably one of the school district’s most valuable staff members.
She coordinated the ceremony, and the new venue for the 2023 reception was well received by all.
Ms. Kress, a Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Teacher, praised her peers.
“I look at our primary school teachers and what a miracle that they do to teach our kids to read. It is amazing and we teach more than the curriculum. We teach how to forgive and how to have compassion. Life’s lessons help us all grow,” she explained. “We learn from our students and you all play a key role.”
Ms. Kress added:
“You all are the best of the best.”
Each of the 11 school principals introduced their Teacher of the Year and their Educational Services Professionals of the Year.
Members of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education assisted with the presentation of gifts to the recipients.
Principal Matt Lembo of the Milltown Primary School could not attend the affair but he was substituted at the podium by Dr. Dan Fonder, the Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, who introduced the two recipients from that school.
Here are our award winners from each of the 11 schools in the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District. Their teaching/staff position is listed after their name.
GOVERNOR’S EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR 2022-2023
ADAMSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Meghan De La Rosa, English as a Second Language
BRADLEY GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Kathryn Kaye, Special Education Teacher
CRIM PRIMARY SCHOOL
Abigail Goldstein, Grade 2 Teacher
HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Tammy Miller, Grade 4 Teacher
JOHN F. KENNEDY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Robert Cirino, Health and Physical Education Teacher
MILLTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL
Danielle Caulfied, Grade 1 Teacher
VAN HOLTEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
Matthew Swinsburg, Grade 3 Teacher
EISENHOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Deborah Ronning, Grade 5 Teacher
HILLSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Carmelina Geiger, Grade 5 Teacher
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Sarah Martin, English/Language Arts Teacher
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL
James Olivola, Teacher of Mathematics
GOVERNOR’S EDUCATIONAL SERVICES PROFESSIONAL AWARD FOR 2022-2023
ADAMSVILLE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Maryellen Filep, Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant
BRADLEY GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Katherine Rayburn, Media Specialist
CRIM PRIMARY SCHOOL
Gretchen English, School Nurse
HAMILTON PRIMARY SCHOOL
Sharon Fargo, Speech Language Specialist
JOHN F. KENNEDY PRIMARY SCHOOL
Linda O’Brien, Intervention Specialist
MILLTOWN PRIMARY SCHOOL
Theresa Torraca-Sheats, Instructional Specialist
VAN HOLTEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
Shawn Danus, Intervention Specialist
EISENHOWER INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Alice Piscadlo, School Counselor
HILLSIDE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Kinjal Barad, Instructional Assistant
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
Kelley Beahan, Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant
BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL
Erin Lowman, School Psychologist
Below is a link that contains the Staff Recognition Reception program, which includes the bios on all 22 award winners,